Residents of Kakira Mupepo are calling on the government to urgently construct an additional block of classrooms at Kakira Mupepo Primary School in the Zambezi Region, citing safety concerns over a temporary clay structure that is repeatedly damaged by rain.

The school currently consists of one permanent classroom block and a clay structure, accommodating 89 learners from Grade 0 to Grade 4.

Following recent rainfall, the clay structure has deteriorated significantly, and now parents say they fear for their children's safety, warning that the weakened walls could collapse if the rains persist.

Schoolboard member Oberien Musa said, "This building of ours has holes due to the water damage; when it rains, the learners get wet, and their books also get wet. This situation eventually forces the learners to go back home, further disrupting the learning process. We were told it was free education, so we expected the learning environments to be catered for. But as you can see, the learning is not going as expected."

The parents also raised concerns about the lack of a Grade 5, which forces them to send their children to the nearest school in Malengalenga, which is seven kilometres away. 

Parents say that due to the distance, the children are forced to stay at the school in community hostels, where they fork out N$200 monthly.

"In January, when schools opened, we paid N$300 for registration; from February onwards, we will be paying N$200 every month per child. This happens every term. Where are we going to get this money? If you have four children, how much will you spend every month if you do not have a job? We are asking for our government to look at our situation," said Beauty Sikongo, a parent at the school.

Incomplete sanitation facilities at the school are also a concern.

They say toilets that were constructed are yet to be completed, forcing learners to relieve themselves in nearby bushes.

The situation is particularly worrying as the school is located within the Dzoti Conservancy, where wildlife roams freely, exposing learners to potential danger.

A cleaner at the school is also needed, despite interviews taking place to fill the vacant post.

In response, regional education director Alex Sikume stated that the traditional structure is not suitable for use and that the school was provided with zinc to construct a temporary classroom, which still needs to be completed. 

Regarding the cleaner, he said it was erroneously advertised and was recalled; they have requested a creation now.